Bears notes: Knox named special teams player of the month

Wednesday

Oct 28, 2009 at 12:01 AMOct 28, 2009 at 5:37 PM

Johnny Knox is the first Bears rookie since Walter Payton to score a touchdown in four consecutive games. And the week after he saw that streak snapped, he was named the NFC’s special teams player of the month for October.

Matt Trowbridge

Johnny Knox is the first Bears rookie since Walter Payton to score a touchdown in four consecutive games. And the week after he saw that streak snapped, he was named the NFC’s special teams player of the month for October.

“It’s a good honor. I’m really excited about it,” Knox said Wednesday. “This is not only my award; it’s a team award. Without my team, it wouldn’t be possible. I’m surrounded by great people. They put me in the right position. I’m around a lot of good leaders. I’m just following, doing what they do.”

Knox ranks third in the NFL with an average of 29.9 yards per kickoff return, less than a yard behind leader Percy Harvin of Minnesota. He has 18 returns for 522 yards.

Knox, though, isn’t as accomplished as his rival Sunday. Cleveland’s Joshua Cribbs won the same honor for the AFC and leads the NFL in both kickoff return yards (723) and punt return yards (295), is first punt return average (16.4) and fourth in kick return average (28.9).

“He is somebody I would like to meet,” Knox said.

Last week, Knox met one of his other role models, Cincinnati receiver Chad Ochocinco.

“He told me to just keep doing what I’m doing,” Knox said.

Knox is also third on the Bears in receiving with 266 yards on 21 catches.

“He had a great month returning kicks and he’s moving into more of a role with our offense,” coach Lovie Smith said.